Miniature art

Miniature art includes paintings, engravings and sculptures that are very small; it has a long history that dates back to prehistory.

Gothic boxwood miniatures are very small carvings in wood, used for rosary beads and the like.

Museums around the world have collections of miniature paintings, drawings, original prints and etchings, and sculpture.

[1] An often-used definition is that a piece of miniature art can be held in the palm of the hand, or that it covers less than 25 square inches or 100 cm².

Some exhibits require the subjects to be depicted in 1/6 actual size, and in all paintings the spirit of miniaturisation should be maintained.